Alternates to the Baths of Nelat

From: Jane Williams <janewilliams20_at_yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2005 20:47:05 -0000

> Now, on to the next question. I seem to remember some comment
> once about Harmast (or was it someone else?) finding an
> alternate to the Baths of Nelat (sp?) that a mortal could
> survive, but which would still allow him to complete the LBQ.
> Anyone got any details, suggestions, or wild speculation?

KoS p168, the description of the Short Lightbringers Pilgrimage. Section 9. "The Fire of Justice, sometimes called Ehilm's Flame, is generated. Orlanth must pass through the fire. If he survives then he is proved to be just. We do not condone the substitution of the Baths of Nelat as an alternative. No one within living memory has survived it, no matter how much preparation was done."

And on "living memory", it's worth noting the internal dating of the document: "Kallyr Starbrow.... attempted this over a century ago"

The description of the original LBQ, on p87, has Orlanth going through three baths, of Fire, of Hatred, and of Truth, and only surviving them because he'd been through the Baths of Nelat before.

Working backwards... P32, the Saga has Argrath pasing the purification test of the Flame of Ehilm.

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